AUGUSTA — Work on the city swimming pool is officially underway.
According to Augusta Mayor Michael Taylor, the city hopes to have the pool open later this year, but is unsure of the date.
“We’re hoping to say September, but I’m not going to give an actual date,” he said. “There is a lot of work that needs to be done and everything will depend on contractors and weather.”
According to Augusta Maintenance Director Darrin Blevins, the pool will be open next year.
“When they get it done, we’ll have a nice pool,” he said. “Spring of next year, you’re going to have a nice pool.”
Taylor said he is happy to have the work on the pool underway.
“We’re working hard and we’re going to get there,” he said. “Some things had to change a little bit, but the guys are working very hard for us.”
The pool designs include a handicap lift, steps, a new service tank, a baby pool with bucket to dump water and a sprayer, as well as other changes. The full set of drawings can be viewed at Augusta City Hall.
The pool was closed in summer 2017 due to safety concerns and has been awaiting repairs since. The project was put out for bid and PSS Contractors was awarded the bid in the amount of $325,000.
After the initial bid, the city council and former Mayor Wendell High, approved a measure that would allow the city to enter into a bank loan agreement. The loan would have required collateral in the form of the city hall building or the Augusta Volunteer Fire Department building.
That has changed, however, according to Taylor.
“We were able to find a cheaper route with the Kentucky League of Cities and we did not have to use the city building or the fire department,” he said. “And we’re saving money by going through KLC.”
The city also has funding from the Bracken County Fiscal Court in the amount of $150,000.
The $150,000 from the fiscal court was already given to the city each year in the amount of $7,500. Now, the city will receive 20 years of funding in a lump sum.
